OUR HISTORY

Still bearing the founder’s name, Thibaut (pronounced Tee-Bo) was founded in New York in 1886 by Richard E. Thibaut, an American of Parisian descent. Once heralded as the “world’s largest wallpaper company” Thibaut began as a successful retailer and with multiple distribution points in Boston, New York and Newark. Three generations of the Thibaut family owned and managed the company before it was sold to its employees. RPM, a manufacturer of specialty coatings purchased the company in 1976. In 2005, management and The Riverside Company became the owners, and since June 2014, management co-owns Thibaut with Champlain Capital.

Thibaut is proud to be the oldest continuously operating wallpaper company in the United States. Over the years Thibaut has transitioned from a wallpaper editor and distributor to an upscale design house, but still operates as a close-knit, family oriented company. Printed fabrics were introduced in 1960 and more recently the line has expanded to include a wide variety of embroidered, multi-purpose and woven upholstery fabrics.

While remaining true to its history and legacy, Thibaut has continued to expand and further serve its network of designers and showrooms worldwide. Anna French, a luxury brand of wallcoverings, fabrics, embroideries and Scottish lace was acquired in 2007. Thibaut Fine Furniture was introduced in 2012 as the latest chapter in Thibaut’s long history of great design.

THIBAUT TIMELINE

1886

Richard E. Thibaut opens the doors of Thibaut in the same year the Statue of Liberty graced the New York harbor.

1889

Thibaut and his staff opened their ﬁrst storefront in New York City and the Coca Cola Co. is founded in Atlanta.

Prior to the invention of the delivery truck, Thibaut delivered wallpaper by horse and buggy.

1911

1914

1918

WW1 begins in Europe

Stock Market Crashes

1929

1936

The beauty of Thibaut wallpaper (as featured in this ad from House & Garden) provided a small antidote to the woes of the Great Depression

1939

WWII begins with German invasion of Poland

This cheery pattern evokes the importance of the homestead as soldiers return from WWII.

1945

Thibaut was ahead of its time with the ﬂower power found in their ﬁrst printed fabrics

1959

1961

Barbie makes her debut at the American Toy Fair, while Thibaut Murals gain immense popularity in American homes.

1969

Clearly, Woodstock wasn’t the only groovy thing going on.

See Sympatico from Design From Today Vol. XII collection

1986

President Clinton’s guests enjoyed the Chartier pattern in the White House. This pattern is currently available in Thibaut Classics

Film Forrest Gump, winner of six Academy Awards, features two Thibaut murals.

1993

1994

2005

2007

Thibaut introduces a dedicated line of upholstery weight woven fabrics.